By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Friday the 13th brought good luck to those attending the various Panora businesses that welcomed the public to stop in and enjoy holiday treats. Some businesses also had signups for prize drawings.
Gayle Shackelford chats with visitors at Guthrie County State Bank.
Staff at Iowa Trust welcomed everyone to come grab a treat.
Cindy Carstens and Chris Arganbright share holiday goodies at Bryton Insurance.
Special to the Times Vedette
During the annual State Agricultural Convention, held Dec. 15 in conjunction with the Association of Iowa Fairs Conference, elections were held for positions on the Iowa State Fair Board of Directors.
Two new Board members were elected to serve two-year terms. Danny Olson from Red Oak replaces retiring board member Gary Van Aernam from Exira (Southwest), and Jarrod Horning from Ainsworth replaces retiring board member Gary McConnell from Bloomfield (Southeast).
Outlined in Iowa Code, county fair delegates representing six geographic districts elect two board members to serve two-year staggered terms on the Iowa State Fair Board. Directors re-elected by their districts were VerDon Schmidt, Everly (Northwest); Tennie Carlson, Stratford (North Central); Deb Zumbach, Coggon (Northeast); and Jo Reynolds, Indianola (South Central).
Board officers elected for 2024 are as follows: President Curtis Claeys, Grand Mound (Southeast); Vice President Deb Zumbach, Coggon (Northeast); and Treasurer Jo Reynolds, Indianola (South Central). Jeremy Parsons, Des Moines, was re-appointed as Board Secretary.
Other Iowa State Fair Board members include Alan Brown, Hampton (North Central); John Harms, Monticello (Northeast); C.W. Thomas, Guthrie Center (Southwest); Randy Brown, Osceola (South Central); Darwin Gaudian, Primghar (Northwest); Curtis Claeys, Grand Mound (Southeast). Board Members by office held are Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds; Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (represented by Grant Menke); and Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen (represented by Andrea Welchans).
Special to the Times Vedette
On Friday, Dec. 13, a total of nine players participated.
The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library on Mondays at 8 a.m., at the New Homestead independent living rec room at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays, and at the Guthrie Center Activity Center at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Panorama Dance Team brought home a load of awards from the state competition this fall. Coach Kristi Vance shared her thoughts and details on the team.
“As a coach, I couldn’t be prouder of this team for their commitment and hard work, Vance said. “Their season started in June when the team went to their first-ever camp at Iowa State University. Knowing we had lost five seniors the year prior, we went into the season with a very young team. The freshmen brought talent and determination. They have put in countless hours and came on to the state floor a unified team. I look forward to their future as a team.”
Under Coach Vance, Panorama has brought home 17 state team titles and 10 individual state champions since 2007.
By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
The Guthrie Center Chamber of Commerce hosted a “Jingle and Mingle” holiday social on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Twin Vines, 2821 Highway 44.
Becky Elgin, Caroline Walker, Emily Sheeder and Cora Oltman
Dawn Loftsgard, Kristen Crouthamel and Erika Willms
Mark Benton, Becky Benton and Ricky Loftsgard
Mark Hanson and Randy Walz
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the regular meeting of the Panorama School Board on Dec. 9, the board approved several safety-related improvements.
Upgrades will be made to SCI doors and cameras using Safety Grant Funds. Superintendent Kasey Huebner explained.
“We will fob additional doors at the elementary and secondary schools. We will fob the southeast playground door at the elementary, the north door at the secondary, the kitchen door at the secondary, the district doors, and the food pantry door on the south side,” Huebner said. “A safety grant through the state will reimburse us for this expense.”
There will also be radio system upgrades.
“This purchase will enable district staff to communicate during emergencies. We will also add a communication device at dispatch to ensure direct contact. Most of the costs will be reimbursed through safety grant funds,” Huebner said.
The board approved the second reading of the proposed new policy regarding school bus restraints.
The board approved a resolution officially completing the school’s north parking lot and driveway improvements.
“We spent $14,000 less than what we initially approved. Our two-year warranty now officially begins,” Huebner said.
The board approved plans for a SVP Facilities Assessment to evaluate the condition of roofs and utilities. The goal is to understand what condition roofs and utilities are in, which will help in prioritizing future improvements.
The board changed the normal starting time of upcoming regular board meetings, from 6:30 to 5:30 p.m. Therefore, the next regular meeting of the Panorama School Board is set for Monday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome.